La Jolla Valley loop

THE HIKE: La Jolla Valley is near Point Mugu. It is an easy to moderate 7 mile hike with an elevation gain of about 1100 ft. We will meet in the La Jolla Valley parking lot at 9:30AM ($8 day use fee - bring singles or park on PCH and walk in). The hike begins up La Jolla Valley to the Backbone Trail turning right to head south to the intersection of the Ray Miller Trail which returns to the parking lot. La Jolla Valley is a wooded canyon that opens up to a large meadow just before intersecting with the Backbone Trail. The hike along the ridge on the Backbone trail offers great views of the Laguna Peak Tracking Station, Big Sycamore Canyon and the Pacific Coast. We usually take a short snack break about midway, but the real treat is stopping at Malibu Seafood on the return trip. www.malibuseafood.com 25653 Pacific Coast Hwy Malibu, CA 90265 (310) 456-3430. Malibu Seafood is set up like a fast food restaurant, but the food is better.

This hike is posted on more then one Meetup group. If you are a member of other Meetup Groups associated with this hike, please RSVP on only one.

DIRECTIONS: Drive north on PCH (Highway 1) from Malibu. The entrance to the parking area is 2 miles past Big Sycamore Canyon. It is not well marked and is more difficult to find if you are coming from the north - in this case, if you see Big Sycamore Canyon camp ground, you have gone 2 miles too far. There is an $8 fee for parking or you may find a spot next to the road and walk in. If you use Google Maps and enter " Thornhill Broome Beach, Triunfo Pass-Coastal, Ventura, California 90265 " - it will get you to the beach that is right across the street. I encourage carpooling and I may have some space from Pasadena/Altadena (7:45AM) area and/or Universal City Red Line Station (8:15AM). Please contact me if you are interested.

Out of consideration for your fellow hikers, please allow enough time to arrive and be ready to hike at 9:30AM. The drive up PCH may take longer then you expect. Mind the posted speed limit as they frequently have speed traps on PCH. There are restrooms near the parking lot, but I am not sure they are still open.

WHAT TO BRING: Comfortable hiking shoes, ample water, sun screen, something to snack on for an energy boost about midway and an appetite for Malibu Seafood afterward.

The Organizer, Assistant Organizers and event hosts in this group are not professional guides. The function of the organizer is only to organize the trip. Each person who signs up for a trip/meetup/or outing is responsible for his or her own safety and the safety of his or her guests. By signing up for a hike, or any other event organized by this group, you are acknowledging. that you are aware and have made your guests aware of the risks, dangers and hazards associated with any outdoor activity and freely accept and fully assume all such risks, dangers and hazards, and further agree to release and discharge the Organizer, Assistant Organizers and event hosts of this Meetup Group from and against any and all liability arising from your and your guest's participation in the group activities